Photo Index - Darra-James Corp. / ToolKraft Corp. - 350

Machinery Photo Index

Manufactured/Badged by:
Darra-James Corp. / ToolKraft Corp.
Waterbury, CT

True Manufacturer:
,

Machine Specifications
Machine Class:	Wood Working Machinery & Metal Working Machinery
Machine Type:	Drill Press
Machine Size:	14"
Submitted By:	Larry Hampton

Machine Specifications
Description/Model:	350
Date of Manufacturer:	1949+
Serial Number:	1639
Last Updated	9/29/2015 11:44:28 AM

Comments:

This was a $20 CraigsList item a few years ago. The photo was just good enough that I could see the general shape of the head, which appealed to me. It appeared to work, there was no looseness of bearings, and I liked its looks. (Are there any other reasons necessary to justify the purchase of an old drill press?) The difference between this machine and the others of the same model in this photo index is that the upper half of the head comes off. The others I see pictured here appear to have a solid head. The PO had purchased it a few years earlier but could offer no other history. It was missing the crank, a single 7/16" rod, common in that era. (I swiped one from another machine for the time being.) The two-piece head is aluminum, with a cast iron base and table. It is fitted with a 1/2" Jacobs chuck.
I replaced the (original?) GE motor, which had a broken clamp/mount assembly, with a 1/2 HP 1725 RPM Westinghouse of similar vintage. Restoration was straightforward and fun. I used Rusteoleum metallic gray with Rusteoleum hammered silver accents. Not being committed to authenticity, I installed a toggle switch on the L side of the head. Very convenient. It is actually a pretty good machine and I shall make good use of it.

Photo 1:

Comments: finished
Source: my shop

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Photo 2:

Comments: as purchased
Source: my shop

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Photo 3:

Comments: Note 2 piece head, which makes for easy belt changing.
Source: my shop

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Photo 4:

Comments: L side
Source: my shop

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Photo 5:

Comments: R side
Source: my shop

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Photo 6:

Comments:
Source: My shop

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